101 N State Rte 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Anyone who loves the comfort food, cozy setting, and consistency of Panera Bread will likely love Arizona based chain Wildflower, as it is almost identical in layout, food offerings, and pricing to the beloved chain.
There are several locations throughout Arizona, although the Sedona cafe offers something a little extra: breathtaking views of the gorgeous red rocks!
Gorgeous scenery, an attractive casual setting, and fun comfort food make Wildflower a perfect choice after a day out hiking in the beautiful Sedona wilderness. Sit back, relax by the fire or on the patio, and treat yourself to a fresh salad, sandwich, and bowl of steaming homemade soup after an exhausting day out on the trails. I love the setting and food so much that I drive here at least once a week from Flagstaff just to enjoy the ambiance and a night off cooking!
Wildflower offers a very similar menu to that found at Panera, consisting of sandwiches, salads, soups, and light entrees. The bakery treats are also tempting with options like a Pumpkin Chocolate Muffin, a Key Lime Pie, Apple Danish, and a Chocolate Almond Croissant. They also serve pasta for dinner (after 3). Selections include a wonderful Butternut Squash Ravioli, Zesty Lemon Chicken, Pesto Chicken Linguini, all served with garlic bread. During autumn, they offer various specials. I've seen a Turkey Cranberry Walnut Stuffing sandwich, Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte, Pumpkin Pie, and a Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte on the lineup.
Similar to Panera, they offer a variation of the "You Pick Two" which is known here as the "Wildflower Two." This is a great deal as you can test out either 1/2 a sandwich or salad with a bowl of soup. The servings here are pretty decent, so this deal is great for anyone looking for a filling and comforting lunch.
Soups vary on a daily basis, although I recommend visiting when the deliciously creamy Broccoli Cheese is available. Other enticing options I've seen on the menu include: Forest Mushroom, Tomato Basil, Potato Cream Cheese, and spicy Tomato Lentil. And be sure to request the 9 grain bread to dip!
Although not included in the "Wildflower Two" deal, the V12 Kale Salad is sure to please healthy diners and vegetarians with its' combination of 12 vegetables in a Mediterranean vinaigrette. Be aware: a full size salad or sandwich with a bowl of soup will definitely leave you with plenty of leftovers!
All in all, a meal at Wildflower is sure to both satisfy and fill you up before or after your outdoor adventures in Sedona. Wildflower is the perfect choice due to the casual atmosphere and variety of healthy, filling choices available. You can come in right from the trail and not need to feel like you need to dress to impress.
Asides from enjoying a pastry, cakes and cheesecakes can be ordered whole or by the slice. Be on the lookout for seasonal and holiday specialties which you can pre-order for parties and celebrations.
Update: The V12 salad is unfortunately no longer offered, however, they do offer a few nice alternative including Kale Romaine Caesar, a Southwest Superfood, and a Strawberry Spinach.
Service is always great, basically what we have come to expect at any causal chain: friendly and fast!
The setting at the Sedona location is quite wonderful, which probably explains why there can be a line outside the door during lunch hours. This place is way more packed than your average Panera.
Whether you choose to dine indoors or out, you can take advantage of Sedona's magnificent red rock scenery, although I recommend sitting outside on the patio for a more spectacular view!
Overall, Wildflower is one of the best casual dining choices in Sedona. Here you can fill up on soup, salad, and whole grains at affordable prices without feeling rushed. This makes it a great choice after enjoying any one of the multitude of hikes found throughout the region, as you can take your time, enjoy your meal, and savor a few more incredible landscape views.
